After Trump’s Push For Recognition Of Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights, Syria Vows To Reclaim Lost Territory

Following US President Donald Trump’s statement on Thursday (21 March) pushing for American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the part of Golan Heights, which the latter had seized during the Six-Day War in 1967, the Syrian government has vowed to take back the lost territory, reports Reuters.

Apart from Syrian allies like Iran and Russia who condemned the move, even adversaries of Damascus like Turkey took a stance against the policy shift.

Turkey said the move would bring the Middle East on the brink of another crisis, and thus the legitimisation of the Israeli occupation over Golan Heights could not be permitted.

Russia also voiced concerns over possible instability stemming from Trump’s tilt towards recognising Israel’s annexation of the territory.

Even the Arab League, from which Syria was suspended in 2011, termed the decision “completely beyond international law”.

The Syrian government has stated that Golan remains an ‘indivisible’ part of the country and that getting it back “via all means guaranteed by international law is still a priority”.

This move to legitimise the Israeli annexation of Golan territory is the latest declaration of the Trump administration that has caused a wave of criticism in the middle east; previously the Trump government had accorded American recognition to Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.